Written Answers Thursday 24 April 2008

Scottish Executive

Alcohol Misuse

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people aged (a) under 18 and (b) 18 and over have been prosecuted for the offence of proxy purchase of alcohol for supplying it to people aged under 18 in each of the last three years, broken down by local authority area.

Kenny MacAskill: The available information is given in the following table:

  Persons Proceeded Against in Scottish Courts for Purchasing Excise Liquor for Consumption by Person Under 181, by Approximate Local Authority Area2, 2003-04 - 2005-06

  

 Local Authority
 2003-04
 2004-05
 2005-06


 Aberdeen City 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 -
 -


 Total
 1
 -
 -


 Aberdeenshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 3
 -
 -


 Total
 3
 -
 -


 Angus 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 1


 18 and Over
 2
 4
 2


 Total
 2
 4
 3


 Argyll and Bute 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 1
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 3
 2
 3


 Total
 4
 2
 3


 Clackmannanshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 -
 2


 Total
 -
 -
 2


 Dumfries and Galloway
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 3
 5
 6


 Total
 3
 5
 6


 Dundee City 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 -
 1


 Total
 2
 -
 1


 East Ayrshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 1
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 1
 3


 Total
 3
 1
 3


 East Dunbartonshire
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 2
 2


 Total
 2
 2
 2


 East Lothian 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 -
 1


 Total
 1
 -
 1


 East Renfrewshire
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 -
 -


 Total
 -
 -
 -


 Edinburgh, City of 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 -
 3


 Total
 2
 -
 3


 Eilean Siar 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 1
 1


 Total
 -
 1
 1


 Falkirk 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 3
 3


 Total
 1
 3
 3


 Fife 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 -
 1


 Total
 2
 -
 1


 Glasgow City 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 7
 6
 12


 Total
 7
 6
 12


 Highland 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 5
 11
 5


 Total
 5
 11
 5


 Inverclyde 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 -
 1


 Total
 -
 -
 1


 Midlothian 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 -
 1


 Total
 1
 -
 1


 Moray 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 4
 2
 1


 Total
 4
 2
 1


 North Ayrshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 -
 1


 Total
 1
 -
 1


 North Lanarkshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 1


 18 and Over
 1
 1
 10


 Total
 1
 1
 11


 Orkney Islands 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 1
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 1
 -


 Total
 -
 2
 -


 Perth and Kinross 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 -
 1


 Total
 2
 -
 1


 Renfrewshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 -
 4


 Total
 -
 -
 4


 Scottish Borders 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 1
 -
 1


 18 and Over
 3
 4
 4


 Total
 4
 4
 5


 Shetland Islands 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 2
 -


 Total
 -
 2
 -


 South Ayrshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 2
 -
 6


 Total
 2
 -
 6


 South Lanarkshire 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 6
 6


 Total
 1
 6
 6


 Stirling 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 3
 3
 2


 Total
 3
 3
 2


 West Dunbartonshire
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 -
 -
 1


 Total
 -
 -
 1


 West Lothian 
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 -
 -
 -


 18 and Over
 1
 -
 -


 Total
 1
 -
 -


 Scotland
 
 
 


 Under 18 
 3
 1
 3


 18 and Over
 55
 54
 83


 Total
 58
 55
 86



  Notes:

  1. Where the main offence is under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 1976 Section 68(3).

  2. Incorporates an approximate mapping of sheriff courts into local authority areas. Some sheriff courts will deal with cases from more than one local authority area. Some local authority areas, including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Midlothian and North Ayrshire, do not contain a sheriff court.

Antisocial Behaviour

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many antisocial behaviour orders were served from 16 May 2007 to 16 April 2008.

Fergus Ewing: The detailed information requested is not held. Statistics on the number of antisocial behaviour orders issued in 2006-07 and 2007-08 are currently being collected and will be published shortly on our website www.antisocialbehaviourscotland.com .

Art

Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish and make easily accessible a list of all publicly owned works of art, or works of art to which the public has right of access, but which are in private custody.

John Swinney: The information requested is not held centrally.

  Maintaining a list of works of art in the national collection is a matter for the National Galleries of Scotland.

  Conditional exemption from capital taxes for publicly accessible works of art is a matter reserved for Westminster. The Inland Revenue Capital Taxes Office operates a website listing conditionally exempt works which can be viewed by appointment. Cases are decided by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

Bute House

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what changes have been made to (a) the catering arrangements, (b) security and (c) other services at Bute House since May 2007 and what expenditure there has been on the fabric of the building since then.

John Swinney: The only change that has been made in these areas, other than changes to personnel, relates to catering arrangements. Catering for cabinet meetings and smaller events involving the First Minister is now carried out under the Scottish Government catering contract drawing on staff from St. Andrew’s House.

  The only substantial item of expenditure incurred on the building in 2007-08 was £8,309.00 (excluding VAT) for the inspection, cleaning and maintenance of chimneys during the last week of August. Given the nature of Bute House, this included a cost for the protection of furniture and valuables. In addition, minor reactive and planned maintenance works totalled £1,968.43 (excluding VAT).

Central Heating Programme

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average daily waiting times were under the central heating programme in each of the last three months.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government inherited a situation where a significant number of people had been waiting for many months to have their central heating system installed. The government tackled this issue and that is why the number people waiting over nine months has fallen significantly. In clearing up the backlog left by the previous administration, the average waiting time of those now having a system installed has appeared to increase because those waiting longest have now received a central heating system. However, the average waiting time during 2007-08 remained six months. At no point since the inception of the programme in 2001 has the average waiting time been less than five months.

  The average daily waiting time for all those that received a central heating system in the last 12 months was 188 days.

  The average daily waiting time for those who received a central heating system in each of the last three months, as notified by the managing agent, Scottish Gas, is shown in the following table:

  


 Period


 Average Waiting Time in Days



January 2008
220


February 2008
221


March 2008
195



  Note: The "Average Waiting Time" is the average time a householder has waited between application and the month in which their system was installed.

Central Heating Programme

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the monthly installation rate has been under the central heating programme over the last three months.

Stewart Maxwell: Over the period 2007-08 a record total of 14,377 central heating systems were installed. The comparable figure in 2006-07 was 10,238.

  The monthly installation rate in each of the last three months, as notified by the managing agent, Scottish Gas, is shown in the following table:

  

 Period
 Installations Undertaken


 January 2008
 1,132


 February 2008
 1,801


 March 2008
 2,138



  Note: The figures provided are for completed installations.

Central Heating Programme

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many new applications have been received under the central heating programme in each of the last three months.

Stewart Maxwell: An initial assessment on eligibility is made at the application stage, normally by telephone, and those applicants are recorded as eligible. Eligibility is then confirmed during the survey stage in the applicant’s home.

  Between eligible application, subject to survey, and installation the number of applicants who do not go on to receive a central heating system is approximately 23%.

  The number of applications received in each of the last three months, as notified by the managing agent, Scottish Gas, is shown in the following table:

  

 Period
 Applications Received
Eligible Applicants
(Subject to Survey)


 January 2008
 2,320
 2,035


 February 2008
 2,364
 1,892


 March 2008
 2,100
 1,781

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people between the ages of 15 and 16 were discharged from local authority care in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The numbers of young people discharged from local authority care when aged 15 and 16 and above school leaving age are shown in table 1 for the years 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07. Data are not available by single year of age for those who were below school leaving age when they left care. This information is not available prior to 2004-05.

  Table 1: Number of 15 and 16-Year-Olds above Minimum School Leaving Age Ceasing to be Looked-After in the Years Ending 31 March 2005 to 2007, by Local Authority

  

Local Authority
 15 Year Olds Above Minimum School Leaving Age
 16 Year Olds Above Minimum School Leaving 
Age


 2005
 2006
 2007
 2005
 2006
 2007


 Aberdeen City 
 1
 10
 0
 18
 38
 18


 Aberdeenshire 
 2
 6
 13
 30
 25
 24


 Angus 
 0
 0
 0
 13
 0
 18


 Argyll and Bute 
 4
 5
 0
 17
 12
 19


 Clackmannanshire 
 0
 0
 3
 6
 14
 3


 Dumfries and Galloway 
 1
 15
 3
 14
 29
 30


 Dundee City 
 0
 6
 3
 42
 42
 37


 East Ayrshire 
 0
 0
 12
 26
 13
 26


 East Dunbartonshire 
 1
 0
 3
 10
 4
 9


 East Lothian 
 1
 4
 0
 9
 7
 24


 East Renfrewshire 
 0
 0
 2
 5
 4
 4


 City of Edinburgh 
 5
 0
 5
 70
 74
 54


 Eilean Siar
 0
 0
 
 3
 8
 


 Falkirk 
 0
 0
 0
 16
 18
 21


 Fife 
 3
 4
 0
 45
 53
 59


 Glasgow City 
 7
 5
 5
 108
 90
 92


 The Highland 
 14
 
 3
 24
 
 25


 Inverclyde 
 2
 16
 13
 10
 26
 29


 Midlothian 
 7
 
 0
 12
 
 28


 The Moray 
 0
 0
 0
 7
 14
 15


 North Ayrshire 
 0
 22
 0
 11
 27
 26


 North Lanarkshire 
 1
 0
 5
 34
 50
 40


 Orkney Islands 
 0
 0
 0
 2
 3
 10


 Perth and Kinross 
 22
 6
 1
 2
 12
 18


 Renfrewshire 
 1
 0
 6
 17
 40
 32


 Scottish Borders 
 1
 
 3
 12
 
 17


 Shetland Islands 
 2
 1
 0
 3
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire 
 3
 1
 1
 15
 13
 24


 South Lanarkshire 
 9
 0
 0
 26
 25
 8


 Stirling 
 1
 0
 2
 10
 11
 11


 West Dunbartonshire 
 6
 0
 1
 22
 24
 34


 West Lothian 
 8
 22
 26
 21
 32
 29


 Scotland
 102
 131
 110
 660
 756
 792



  Source: Scottish Government, Children Looked After Statistics.

  Notes:

  Figures include all episodes of ceasing to be looked after (i.e. a young person may be counted more than once).

  Eilean Siar did not provide information for 2007. Figures from 2006 have therefore been included in the totals for 2007.

  Scottish Borders, Midlothian and Highland did not provide information in time for inclusion in 2006. Figures from 2005 have therefore been included in the totals for 2006.

  Figures for 2005 have never been published. These data are best understood as estimates.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people were discharged from local authority care on or after their 16th birthday in each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The numbers of young people discharged from local authority care when aged 16 and over are shown in table 1 for the years 2002-03 to 2006-07 by local authority.

  Table 1: Number of Young People Aged 16 or Over Ceasing to be Looked After in the Years Ending 31 March 2003 to 2007, by Local Authority

  

 Local Authority
 Number of Young People Aged 16+ who Ceasing to be Looked After in the Year Ending 31 March


 2003
 2004
 2005
 2006
 2007


 Aberdeen City 
 30
 23
 52
 77
 59


 Aberdeenshire 
 43
 32
 39
 34
 27


 Angus 
 20
 14
 21
 16
 28


 Argyll and Bute 
 46
 20
 44
 22
 30


 Clackmannanshire 
 11
 15
 13
 21
 9


 Dumfries and Galloway 
 30
 44
 33
 47
 57


 Dundee City 
 50
 43
 54
 57
 51


 East Ayrshire 
 45
 43
 30
 25
 41


 East Dunbartonshire 
 14
 17
 16
 8
 20


 East Lothian 
 24
 10
 18
 18
 28


 East Renfrewshire 
 7
 12
 15
 
 11


 City of Edinburgh 
 113
 95
 100
 123
 157


 Eilean Siar
 4
 5
 11
 10
 


 Falkirk 
 12
 27
 19
 20
 29


 Fife 
 37
 44
 45
 62
 72


 Glasgow City 
 241
 243
 195
 201
 248


 The Highland 
 51
 46
 38
 55
 51


 Inverclyde 
 68
 43
 19
 34
 32


 Midlothian 
 9
 20
 22
 
 66


 The Moray 
 26
 32
 22
 18
 17


 North Ayrshire 
 41
 24
 38
 39
 60


 North Lanarkshire 
 86
 89
 75
 79
 75


 Orkney Islands 
 6
 5
 2
 5
 11


 Perth and Kinross 
 15
 27
 22
 13
 27


 Renfrewshire 
 75
 47
 55
 65
 56


 Scottish Borders 
 15
 29
 21
 
 21


 Shetland Islands 
 2
 4
 6
 2
 1


 South Ayrshire 
 18
 30
 24
 30
 35


 South Lanarkshire 
 21
 51
 42
 45
 46


 Stirling 
 12
 23
 24
 26
 17


 West Dunbartonshire 
 53
 33
 31
 41
 49


 West Lothian 
 49
 55
 34
 46
 44


 Scotland
 1,274
 1,245
 1,180
 1,239
 1,475



  Source: Scottish Government, Children Looked After Statistics

  Notes:

  Figures include all episodes of ceasing to be looked after (i.e. a young person may be counted more than once).

  Table includes young people aged 16 to 21 for 2006 and 2007. Prior to 2006, data was not collected for 19 to 21-year-olds and table includes young people aged 16 to 18 only.

  Eilean Siar did not provide information for 2007. Figures from 2006 have therefore been included in the table’s total for 2007.

  East Renfrewshire, Scottish Borders and Midlothian did not provide information for 2006. Figures from 2005 have therefore been included in the table’s total for 2006 and do not include young people aged 19-21.

  Data for 2006 contains some revisions.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people aged from 16 to 18 and who left local authority care were assisted by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: It is not possible from government statistics to identify how many young people were assisted by each local authority in any year. However, table 1 shows the number of young people aged 16 to 18 who were eligible for aftercare services on 31 March 2005, 2006 and 2007. Data on those eligible for aftercare prior to 2005 is not available.

  Table 1: Young People Aged 16-18 Eligible for Aftercare Services on 31 March 2005, 2006 and 2007

  

 Local Authority
 Eligible for Aftercare on 31 March


 2005
 2006
 2007


 Aberdeen City
 83
 35
 41


 Aberdeenshire
 82
 
 33


 Angus
 38
 27
 54


 Argyll and Bute
 8
 19
 22


 Clackmannanshire
 28
 30
 15


 Dumfries and Galloway
 57
 63
 90


 Dundee City
 47
 74
 79


 East Ayrshire
 31
 51
 60


 East Dunbartonshire
 29
 4
 25


 East Lothian
 26
 21
 51


 East Renfrewshire
 32
 25
 7


 Edinburgh City of
 275
 117
 347


 Eilean Siar
 4
 4
 


 Falkirk
 49
 42
 47


 Fife
 131
 160
 162


 Glasgow City
 461
 405
 439


 Highland
 71
 97
 96


 Inverclyde
 26
 36
 67


 Midlothian
 76
 19
 28


 Moray
 20
 17
 16


 North Ayrshire
 37
 42
 58


 North Lanarkshire
 14
 33
 


 Orkney Islands
 7
 8
 10


 Perth and Kinross
 61
 52
 44


 Renfrewshire
 27
 67
 80


 Scottish Borders
 42
 
 21


 Shetland Islands
 9
 12
 7


 South Ayrshire
 56
 68
 67


 South Lanarkshire
 53
 53
 50


 Stirling
 43
 36
 44


 West Dunbartonshire
 99
 46
 45


 West Lothian
 91
 104
 122


 All
 2113
 1891
 2264



  Source: Children Looked After Statistics, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  Includes all young people eligible for aftercare services, as it is not possible to identify which young people were actually assisted by the local authority.

  In 2007, Eilean Siar and North Lanarkshire did not provide this information. 2005-06 figures for these authorities have been incorporated into this table’s total.

  In 2007, Scottish Borders included only those young people receiving aftercare, rather than all young people that were eligible.

  In 2006, Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire did not provide information in time for inclusion. 2004-05 figures for these authorities have been incorporated into this table’s total. Data supplied by Aberdeen City and Edinburgh may be incomplete.

  In 2006, data supplied by North Ayrshire and Eilean Siar include young people who left care in 2005-06 only. All figures in this table should therefore be understood as estimates that are likely to be lower than the true figure, and caution should be used when using the figures.

  Data for 2006 contains some revisions.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people aged between the ages of 18 and 21 and who left local authority care were assisted by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: It is not possible from government statistics to identify how many young people were assisted by each local authority in any year. However, table 1 shows the number of young people aged 18 to 21 who were eligible for aftercare services on 31 March 2005, 2006 and 2007. Data on those eligible for aftercare prior to 2005 is not available.

  Table 1: Young People Aged 18 to 21 Eligible for Aftercare Services on 31 March 2005, 2006 and 2007, by Age Group and Local Authority

  

 Local authority
 18-Year-Olds
 19 to 21-Year-Olds
 Total


 2005
 2006
 2007
 2006
 2007
 2005
 2006
 2007


 Aberdeen City
 43
 7
 19
 25
 29
 43
 32
 48


 Aberdeenshire
 36
 
 7
 
 7
 36
 
 14


 Angus
 13
 6
 19
 2
 8
 13
 8
 27


 Argyll and Bute
 1
 8
 3
 16
 6
 1
 24
 9


 Clackmannanshire
 14
 13
 6
 9
 0
 14
 22
 6


 Dumfries and Galloway
 24
 27
 36
 34
 66
 24
 61
 102


 Dundee City
 11
 32
 32
 10
 19
 11
 42
 51


 East Ayrshire
 9
 13
 22
 33
 27
 9
 46
 49


 East Dunbartonshire
 1
 2
 8
 6
 3
 1
 8
 11


 East Lothian
 5
 10
 14
 14
 31
 5
 24
 45


 East Renfrewshire
 14
 15
 0
 15
 11
 14
 30
 11


 Edinburgh City of
 15
 43
 140
 50
 166
 15
 93
 306


 Eilean Siar
 4
 1
 
 1
 
 4
 2
 


 Falkirk
 16
 23
 26
 1
 1
 16
 24
 27


 Fife
 53
 67
 52
 66
 95
 53
 133
 147


 Glasgow City
 229
 149
 211
 260
 180
 229
 409
 391


 Highland
 12
 24
 53
 0
 0
 12
 24
 53


 Inverclyde
 11
 7
 23
 16
 20
 11
 23
 43


 Midlothian
 32
 9
 7
 3
 7
 32
 12
 14


 Moray
 6
 6
 6
 9
 12
 6
 15
 18


 North Ayrshire
 14
 20
 21
 30
 36
 14
 50
 57


 North Lanarkshire
 4
 15
 
 22
 
 4
 37
 


 Orkney Islands
 4
 4
 2
 3
 2
 4
 7
 4


 Perth and Kinross
 25
 14
 10
 25
 16
 25
 39
 26


 Renfrewshire
 0
 27
 29
 17
 56
 0
 44
 85


 Scottish Borders
 15
 
 8
 
 8
 15
 
 16


 Shetland Islands
 1
 5
 4
 1
 7
 1
 6
 11


 South Ayrshire
 19
 36
 28
 41
 8
 19
 77
 36


 South Lanarkshire
 11
 19
 22
 34
 43
 11
 53
 65


 Stirling
 22
 11
 22
 9
 20
 22
 20
 42


 West Dunbartonshire
 40
 16
 19
 41
 32
 40
 57
 51


 West Lothian
 24
 38
 52
 68
 93
 24
 106
 145


 All
 728
 718
 917
 861
 1032
 728
 1579
 1949



  Source: Children Looked After Statistics, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  Includes all young people eligible for aftercare services, as it is not possible to identify which young people were actually assisted by the local authority.

  In 2007, Eilean Siar and North Lanarkshire did not provide this information. 2005-06 figures for these authorities have been incorporated into this table’s total.

  In 2007, Scottish Borders included only those young people receiving aftercare, rather than all young people that were eligible.

  In 2006, Scottish Borders and Aberdeenshire did not provide information in time for inclusion. 2004-05 figures for these authorities have been incorporated into this table’s total. Data supplied by Aberdeen City and Edinburgh may be incomplete.

  In 2006, data supplied by North Ayrshire and Eilean Siar include young people who left care in 2005-06 only. All figures in this table should therefore be understood as estimates that are likely to be lower than the true figure, and caution should be used when using the figures.

  Data for 2006 contains some revisions.

  In 2005, information was not collected on young people aged 19 to 21. Figures for this year are therefore for 18 year olds only.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people leaving local authority care following their 16th birthday were placed in bed and breakfast accommodation as their first housing destination by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The number of care leavers aged 16 or over placed in bed and breakfast accommodation upon discharge is not available.

  I refer to the member to the answer to question S3W-11451 on 24 April 2008, which provides tables showing broader categories of care leavers’ destinations from 2004-05 to 2006-07. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people leaving local authority care following their 16th birthday were placed in unsupported hostel accommodation as their first housing destination by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The number of care leavers aged 16 or over placed in unsupported hostel accommodation upon discharge is not available.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11451 on 24 April 2008 which provides tables showing broader categories of care leavers’ destinations from 2004-05 to 2006-07. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Children in Care

Tricia Marwick (Central Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many young people leaving local authority care following their 16th birthday were placed in supported accommodation as their first housing destination by each local authority in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: The destinations of young people leaving local authority care following their 16th birthday in 2006-07, 2005-06 and 2004-05 are shown in tables 1 to 3 for each local authority. The number of young people whose first placement was in supported accommodation can be found in the ‘supported accommodation/semi-independent living’ category. Data on destinations of those who left care prior to 2004-05 is not available.

  Tables 1 to 3 show all destinations because the answers to questions S3W-11449 and S3W-11450 also refer to this information.

  Table 1: Number of Young People Ceasing to be Looked After, by Destination on Discharge, 16 to 21-Year-Olds - 2006-07

  

 Local Authority
 Home with Parents
 Friends/ Relatives
 Former Foster Carers
 Adopted
 Transferred to Another Local Authority


 Aberdeen City
 36
 7
 0
 0
 0


 Aberdeenshire
 9
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Angus
 11
 2
 0
 0
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 18
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 5
 3
 0
 0
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 34
 4
 0
 3
 0


 Dundee City
 25
 10
 2
 0
 0


 East Ayrshire
 29
 4
 0
 0
 0


 East Dunbartonshire
 10
 4
 0
 0
 0


 East Lothian
 17
 3
 1
 0
 0


 East Renfrewshire
 9
 0
 1
 0
 0


 Edinburgh City of
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Eilean Siar
 5
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Falkirk
 8
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Fife
 24
 10
 0
 0
 0


 Glasgow City
 162
 17
 0
 0
 3


 Highland
 26
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Inverclyde
 27
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Midlothian
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Moray
 9
 3
 0
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 36
 7
 1
 0
 0


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Orkney Islands
 8
 1
 1
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 14
 3
 0
 0
 0


 Renfrewshire
 31
 7
 1
 0
 0


 Scottish Borders
 16
 1
 0
 0
 0


 Shetland Islands
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 24
 8
 1
 0
 0


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling
 13
 3
 1
 0
 0


 West Dunbartonshire
 35
 4
 4
 0
 0


 West Lothian
 24
 9
 0
 0
 0


 All
 666
 115
 13
 3
 3



  

 Local Authority
 Supported Accommodation/ Semi-Independent Living
 Own Tenancy/ Independent Living
 Homeless
 Other
 Not Known
 Total 16 to 21-Year-Olds


 Aberdeen City
 5
 0
 0
 11
 0
 59


 Aberdeenshire
 7
 0
 0
 10
 0
 27


 Angus
 0
 14
 0
 1
 0
 28


 Argyll and Bute
 9
 2
 0
 0
 0
 30


 Clackmannanshire
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 9


 Dumfries and Galloway
 13
 0
 0
 3
 0
 57


 Dundee City
 9
 1
 2
 2
 0
 51


 East Ayrshire
 0
 7
 0
 1
 0
 41


 East Dunbartonshire
 4
 2
 0
 0
 0
 20


 East Lothian
 4
 1
 2
 0
 0
 28


 East Renfrewshire
 1
 0
 0
 0
 0
 11


 Edinburgh City of
 0
 0
 0
 0
 157
 157


 Eilean Siar
 1
 0
 1
 0
 0
 8


 Falkirk
 0
 2
 0
 19
 0
 29


 Fife
 20
 4
 2
 12
 0
 72


 Glasgow City
 25
 0
 3
 38
 0
 248


 Highland
 8
 0
 0
 16
 0
 51


 Inverclyde
 1
 2
 0
 1
 0
 32


 Midlothian
 0
 0
 0
 0
 66
 66


 Moray
 3
 0
 0
 2
 0
 17


 North Ayrshire
 13
 3
 0
 0
 0
 60


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 75
 0
 75


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0
 0
 1
 0
 11


 Perth and Kinross
 4
 5
 0
 1
 0
 27


 Renfrewshire
 6
 9
 0
 2
 0
 56


 Scottish Borders
 1
 3
 0
 0
 0
 21


 Shetland Islands
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 1


 South Ayrshire
 1
 0
 0
 1
 0
 35


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0
 0
 46
 46


 Stirling
 0
 0
 0
 0
 0
 17


 West Dunbartonshire
 5
 0
 0
 1
 0
 49


 West Lothian
 10
 0
 0
 1
 0
 44


 All
 151
 55
 10
 198
 269
 1,483



  Source: Children Looked After Statistics, 2006-07, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  A young person may cease to be looked after more than once during the year and will be counted once for each episode of care ending.

  Information collected for young people aged 16-21 years old.

  "Former foster carers", "Transferred to another LA", "Own tenancy/independent living" and "Homeless" were new categories in 2006-07. Prior to this, any young people in these categories would have been included in ‘other’.

  City of Edinburgh, Midlothian and South Lanarkshire did not provide this information for 2007. The total number of young people ceasing to be looked after in 2006-07 in these authorities has been included as "not known".

  Table 2: Number of Young People Ceasing to be Looked After, by Destination on Discharge, 16 to 21-Year-Olds - 2005-06

  

 Local authority
 Home with Parents
 Friends/Relatives
 Adoption


 Aberdeen City
 56
 8
 0


 Aberdeenshire
 24
 2
 0


 Angus
 7
 1
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 17
 0
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 9
 6
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 37
 5
 0


 Dundee City
 30
 4
 0


 East Ayrshire
 14
 4
 0


 East Dunbartonshire
 5
 0
 0


 East Lothian
 10
 1
 0


 East Renfrewshire
 9
 0
 0


 Edinburgh City of
 0
 0
 0


 Eilean Siar
 4
 1
 0


 Falkirk
 8
 1
 0


 Fife
 26
 4
 0


 Glasgow City
 86
 20
 0


 Highland
 22
 8
 2


 Inverclyde
 30
 1
 0


 Midlothian
 3
 2
 0


 Moray
 7
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 23
 6
 0


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0


 Orkney Islands
 4
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 10
 0
 2


 Renfrewshire
 50
 6
 0


 Scottish Borders
 
 
 


 Shetland Islands
 1
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 21
 4
 0


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling
 15
 0
 0


 West Dunbartonshire
 27
 3
 1


 West Lothian
 21
 9
 0


 All
 592
 97
 5



  

 Local authority
 Supported Accommodation/ Own Tenancy
 Other
 Not Known
 Total 16 to 21-Year-Olds


 Aberdeen City
 11
 2
 0
 77


 Aberdeenshire
 4
 4
 0
 34


 Angus
 6
 2
 0
 16


 Argyll and Bute
 5
 0
 0
 22


 Clackmannanshire
 5
 1
 0
 21


 Dumfries and Galloway
 5
 0
 0
 47


 Dundee City
 17
 6
 0
 57


 East Ayrshire
 7
 0
 0
 25


 East Dunbartonshire
 3
 0
 0
 8


 East Lothian
 1
 6
 0
 18


 East Renfrewshire
 0
 0
 0
 9


 Edinburgh City of
 0
 0
 123
 123


 Eilean Siar
 1
 4
 0
 10


 Falkirk
 0
 11
 0
 20


 Fife
 22
 10
 0
 62


 Glasgow City
 25
 70
 0
 201


 Highland
 11
 12
 0
 55


 Inverclyde
 2
 1
 0
 34


 Midlothian
 7
 3
 7
 22


 Moray
 7
 4
 0
 18


 North Ayrshire
 6
 4
 0
 39


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 79
 0
 79


 Orkney Islands
 1
 0
 0
 5


 Perth and Kinross
 1
 0
 0
 13


 Renfrewshire
 4
 5
 0
 65


 Scottish Borders
 
 
 
 


 Shetland Islands
 1
 0
 0
 2


 South Ayrshire
 4
 1
 0
 30


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 45
 45


 Stirling
 11
 0
 0
 26


 West Dunbartonshire
 6
 4
 0
 41


 West Lothian
 16
 0
 0
 46


 All
 189
 233
 175
 1,291



  Source: Looked After Children Statistics, 2005-06, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  A young person may cease to be looked after more than once during the year and will be counted once for each episode of care ending.

  Information collected for young people aged 16 to 21-years-old.

  For 2005-06, Scottish Borders did not provide information in time for inclusion. 2004-05 figures for this authority have been incorporated into this table and do not include young people aged 19 to 21. The numbers of young people aged 18 and under are therefore best understood as estimates and the number of young people aged 19 to 21 is an undercount.

  For 2005-06, South Lanarkshire and Edinburgh did not provide this information. The total number of young people ceasing to be looked after in those authorities have been entered as "not known’s".

  2005-06 data are revised.

  Table 3: Number of young people ceasing to be looked after, by destination on discharge, 16 to 18-Year-Olds - 2004-05

  

 Local Authority
 Home with Parents
 Friends/Relatives
 Adoption


 Aberdeen City
 25
 4
 0


 Aberdeenshire
 26
 2
 0


 Angus
 17
 0
 0


 Argyll and Bute
 34
 3
 0


 Clackmannanshire
 7
 2
 0


 Dumfries and Galloway
 25
 0
 0


 Dundee City
 32
 3
 0


 East Ayrshire
 23
 1
 0


 East Dunbartonshire
 7
 1
 0


 East Lothian
 10
 3
 1


 East Renfrewshire
 13
 0
 0


 Edinburgh City of
 18
 6
 0


 Eilean Siar
 6
 1
 0


 Falkirk
 8
 0
 0


 Fife
 21
 6
 0


 Glasgow City
 88
 15
 2


 Highland
 24
 3
 0


 Inverclyde
 10
 4
 0


 Midlothian
 6
 2
 0


 Moray
 10
 0
 0


 North Ayrshire
 31
 3
 0


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0


 Orkney Islands
 2
 0
 0


 Perth and Kinross
 19
 1
 0


 Renfrewshire
 38
 7
 0


 Scottish Borders
 16
 1
 0


 Shetland Islands
 5
 0
 0


 South Ayrshire
 15
 3
 0


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 0


 Stirling
 18
 2
 0


 West Dunbartonshire
 16
 2
 2


 West Lothian
 12
 8
 0


 All
 582
 83
 5



  

 Local Authority
 Supported Accommodation/ Own Tenancy
 Other
 Not Known
 Total 16 to 18-Year-Olds


 Aberdeen City
 9
 5
 9
 52


 Aberdeenshire
 7
 4
 0
 39


 Angus
 4
 0
 0
 21


 Argyll and Bute
 7
 0
 0
 44


 Clackmannanshire
 2
 2
 0
 13


 Dumfries and Galloway
 8
 0
 0
 33


 Dundee City
 10
 9
 0
 54


 East Ayrshire
 6
 0
 0
 30


 East Dunbartonshire
 6
 2
 0
 16


 East Lothian
 3
 1
 0
 18


 East Renfrewshire
 1
 1
 0
 15


 Edinburgh City of
 11
 4
 61
 100


 Eilean Siar
 1
 3
 0
 11


 Falkirk
 2
 1
 8
 19


 Fife
 16
 2
 0
 45


 Glasgow City
 23
 27
 40
 195


 Highland
 8
 3
 0
 38


 Inverclyde
 5
 0
 0
 19


 Midlothian
 7
 3
 4
 22


 Moray
 4
 5
 3
 22


 North Ayrshire
 2
 2
 0
 38


 North Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 75
 75


 Orkney Islands
 0
 0
 0
 2


 Perth and Kinross
 0
 2
 0
 22


 Renfrewshire
 3
 7
 0
 55


 Scottish Borders
 0
 4
 0
 21


 Shetland Islands
 1
 0
 0
 6


 South Ayrshire
 4
 2
 0
 24


 South Lanarkshire
 0
 0
 42
 42


 Stirling
 4
 0
 0
 24


 West Dunbartonshire
 5
 6
 0
 31


 West Lothian
 14
 0
 0
 34


 All
 173
 95
 242
 1,180



  Source: Children’s Social Work Statistics, 2004-05, Scottish Government.

  Notes:

  A young person may cease to be looked after more than once during the year and will be counted once for each episode of care ending.

  Information collected only for young people aged 16 to 18-years-old.

Children in Care

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans they have to extend eligibility for on-going support for care leavers after the age of 18.

Adam Ingram: The Scottish Government has no plans to extend eligibility for on-going support for care leavers after the age of 18. Local authorities already have powers under the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 to support and assist care leavers up until the age of 21, or 25 if they remain in education or training.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive prior to February 2007 how many teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils possessed a university accredited professional postgraduate qualification in deaf education.

Adam Ingram: Information returned in the 2006 Teacher Census indicated that there were 37 full-time equivalent (FTE) school-based teachers working with deaf children. The breakdown of this figure by type of qualification is shown in the following table.

  

 
 FTE with this Qualification


 Bachelor of Education with Honours
 1.0


 Support for Learning additional teaching qualification
 9.8


 Postgraduate Diploma in Education
 8.0


 Other postgraduate Diplomas
 10.6


 Postgraduate Certificate in Education
 2.5


 Other postgraduate Certificates
 1.0


 Primary Diploma
 1.0


 Other Qualification
 3.5



  Source: Teachers in Scotland, 2006.

  The information collected on the qualifications of centrally employed teachers was incomplete.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive since February 2007 how many teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils possess a university accredited professional qualification in deaf education.

Adam Ingram: Information returned in the 2007 Teacher Census indicated that there were 43 full-time equivalent (FTE) school-based teachers working with deaf children. The breakdown of this figure by type of qualification is shown in the following table.

  

 
 FTE with this Qualification


 Bachelor of Education with Honours
 1.0


 Support for Learning additional teaching qualification
 12.3


 Postgraduate Diploma in Education
 8.8


 Other postgraduate Diplomas
 11.0


 Postgraduate Certificate in Education
 2.5


 Other postgraduate Certificates
 2.0


 Primary Diploma
 1.2


 Other Qualification
 4.5



  Source: Teachers in Scotland, 2007.

  The information collected on the qualifications of centrally employed teachers was incomplete.

Deaf and Hearing Impaired People

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive prior to February 2007 how many teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils were working towards a university accredited professional qualification in deaf education.

Cathie Craigie (Cumbernauld and Kilsyth) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive since February 2007 how many teachers working wholly or mainly with deaf pupils are working towards a university accredited professional qualification in deaf education.

Adam Ingram: The information requested is not held centrally.

Education

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive e whether ministers have met COSLA since June 2007 to discuss how to ensure that there are sufficient teaching posts to secure employment for newly qualified teachers.

Maureen Watt: All student teachers in publicly funded places are guaranteed a one-year teaching post on the teacher induction scheme. This affords them the opportunity to reach full registration in one school year. Ministers meet representatives of COSLA on a regular basis and discuss a number of issues. For 2007-08 the Scottish Government provided local authorities with an additional £9 million to enable them to employ additional teachers. That funding has been baselined and forms part of the local government finance settlement. In addition we have signed a concordat with local government that allows them to maintain teacher numbers at a time of falling school rolls.

Education

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether ministers have met COSLA and the General Teaching Council Scotland since June 2007 to discuss job prospects for newly qualified teachers and, if so, how many times.

Maureen Watt: Ministers meet COSLA regularly to discuss a number of issues. The Cabinet Secretary has also met the Chief Executive of the General Teaching Council for Scotland on one occasion to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Education

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the appointment of Paul Stallan as Education Design Champion for Scotland, what the remit is of this position and how much public funding has been allocated to support this initiative.

Maureen Watt: Paul Stallan is already a board member of Architecture & Design Scotland (A+DS) but receives no remuneration in respect of his appointment as Education Design Champion by A+DS.

  A+DS describe his role as "to give strategic direction to the work that A+DS undertakes in the education sector; leading from the front and generating an enthusiasm for good design in education facilities; providing an overview role across A+DS’s work with providers of education facilities; and speaking at selected events and contributing to A+DS publications on the design of education facilities."

Education

Karen Whitefield (Airdrie and Shotts) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following claims by the new Education Design Champion for Scotland that most schools in Scotland suffer from sick building syndrome caused by bad design, and miserable and short-term briefs from authorities seeking to cut costs, what plans it has to address any such problems and implement his recommendations for change.

Maureen Watt: We announced on 25 February 2008 that we are funding Architecture and Design Scotland over three years to run a schools programme in which they will work closely with local authorities across Scotland to help them share good practice and get the very best results from their school building programmes.

Education

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether there are any local authority schools which (a) charge fees or (b) make charges for any services or facilities provided and, if so, which schools, what fees or charges they levy and on what authority.

Maureen Watt: Section 3 of the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, as amended, sets out the general principle that education authorities shall provide school education without payment of fees, but also the limited circumstances in which authorities may levy charges. Information regarding such charges is not held centrally.

  Section 23 of the same act also provides for education authorities recovery of the costs of educating pupils belonging to areas of other authorities. Again, information relating to such matters is not held centrally.

Employment

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what change has taken place in unemployment, as measured by the claimant count in each month since May 2003, for (a) Scotland and (b) the Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

Jim Mather: Table 1 shows the number of people claiming unemployment related benefits in each month since May 2003 in Scotland and the Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency.

  Information on the claimant count is available free of charge from the National Online Manpower Information System (NOMIS) at the following web address www.nomisweb.co.uk.

  Table 1 Claimant Count in Scotland and the Kilmarnock and Loudoun Parliamentary Constituency, May 2003 to March 2008

  

 
 Scotland
 Kilmarnock and Loudoun


 May 2003
 102,365
 2,345


 June 2003
 101,730
 2,281


 July 2003
 105,014
 2,273


 August 2003
 104,247
 2,316


 September 2003
 96,990
 2,171


 October 2003
 95,026
 2,099


 November 2003
 95,449
 2,093


 December 2003
 96,166
 2,113


 January 2004
 105,928
 2,388


 February 2004
 106,896
 2,263


 March 2004
 103,519
 2,239


 April 2004
 99,027
 2,171


 May 2004
 94,507
 2,068


 June 2004
 92,406
 2,014


 July 2004
 94,080
 2,094


 August 2004
 94,494
 2,132


 September 2004
 88,401
 1,915


 October 2004
 86,025
 1,894


 November 2004
 86,053
 1,851


 December 2004
 86,043
 1,889


 January 2005
 95,627
 2,331


 February 2005
 96,108
 2,162


 March 2005
 93,577
 2,213


 April 2005
 90,411
 2,073


 May 2005
 88,491
 1,981


 June 2005
 87,044
 1,963


 July 2005
 88,480
 2,109


 August 2005
 89,395
 2,157


 September 2005
 83,782
 1,926


 October 2005
 82,049
 1,833


 November 2005
 82,827
 1,816


 December 2005
 83,628
 1,820


 January 2006
 92,591
 2,023


 February 2006
 95,190
 2,048


 March 2006
 95,361
 2,041


 April 2006
 92,661
 1,969


 May 2006
 90,832
 1,929


 June 2006
 90,091
 1,894


 July 2006
 92,105
 1,976


 August 2006
 92,196
 2,017


 September 2006
 85,861
 1,892


 October 2006
 84,101
 1,848


 November 2006
 83,274
 1,813


 December 2006
 82,818
 1,830


 January 2007
 88,623
 1,937


 February 2007
 89,798
 1,966


 March 2007
 87,397
 1,923


 April 2007
 82,803
 1,875


 May 2007
 79,521
 1,738


 June 2007
 76,393
 1,719


 July 2007
 76,955
 1,767


 August 2007
 77,269
 1,711


 September 2007
 71,504
 1,576


 October 2007
 68,683
 1,530


 November 2007
 68,538
 1,536


 December 2007
 69,165
 1,567


 January 2008
 74,411
 1,693


 February 2008
 76,111
 1,689


 March 2008
 75,249
 1,711



  Source: Claimant Count, Office for National Statistics.

  Notes:

  1. Data are not seasonally adjusted.

  2. The Kilmarnock and Loudoun parliamentary constituency is based on the 1995 revision definition.

Energy

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to stimulate investment in clean coal technologies.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government maintains a dialogue with the energy sector to ensure that opportunities for the development of clean coal technologies are maximised. For example, discussions with OFGEM and National Grid on transmission charging aim to reduce costs and improve the climate for investment in Scotland - not just in renewable energy but in clean coal electricity generation.

  In relation to carbon capture and storage, the Scottish Government is part of a partnership with a range of industry members in a study looking at potential carbon storage sites. The study is being academically led by the University of Edinburgh and Heriot Watt University through their partnership, the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage. The planned completion date for the study is late 2008 - early 2009.

  In addition Scottish Power, in partnership with Scottish and Southern Energy are undertaking a separate £2.5 million technical study to examine CO2 storage sites close to coal fired power stations.

Energy

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to implement any of the previous administration’s plans to connect more communities to mains gas.

Jim Mather: We recognise that communities and individuals without access to mains gas may face additional fuel costs and inconvenience. For this reason, we consider that renewable energy presents an opportunity for such communities in particular. We are promoting community and micro-generation, including by a tripling of budgets which support these forms of renewable energy and the development of guidance for communities on renewable energy.

Enterprise

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in relation to the restructuring of the enterprise networks.

Jim Mather: Significant progress has been made by both Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise to implement the reforms. Both organisations have put in place a number of substantial changes to align their focus, priorities and delivery behind the government’s purpose.

External Relations

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to increase cultural links with Asturias.

Linda Fabiani: We have no such plans at present. However, we would be glad to consider opportunities to engage with Asturias where these are in line with the objectives set out in the Scottish Government’s International Framework, which I published on 22 April 2008.

Fire Service

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks there have been on firefighters in each year since 1999, also broken down by fire brigade.

Fergus Ewing: The information requested on assaults on fire service personnel is given in Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland annual reports, published by the Scottish Executive in January 2004; December 2004; October 2005; December 2006; and November 2007. Copies of these reports are available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. numbers 30472, 34686, 38132, 41202 and 44156). The inspectorate only began compiling figures for attacks on personnel part way through 2002-03, the first full reporting year was 2003-04.

Forced Marriages

Bashir Ahmad (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle the issue of forced marriages.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government is committed to addressing forced marriage and we are going to consult on whether civil legislation should be introduced to protect those who may be affected. This consultation will link with the work currently underway within communities to raise awareness of forced marriage.

  Members of the forced marriage network are key to this activity and the network will reconvene in the next few months to further develop the Scottish Government’s work in this area.

Forensic Science

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why the post of forensic accountant for the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency was not funded on a manner similar to other posts in the agency.

Hugh Henry (Paisley South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency made a request for funding a forensic accountant through normal procedures.

Kenny MacAskill: I understand that following a bid for additional funding from the then Director General of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, the previous administration increased the agency’s budget by £967,000 to help fund a number of additional posts, including a forensic accountant.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action should be taken as a result of a failure to record the fall of an elderly patient in hospital.

Nicola Sturgeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-11647 on 22 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish its delivery plan for the next stage of its work on long-term conditions, as stated on page 58 of Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan .

Nicola Sturgeon: The development of the delivery plan is primarily the responsibility of the Long-Term Conditions Steering Group chaired by the Chief Medical Officer. Publication is expected later in 2008.

  We expect to publish in the near future the long-term conditions self-management strategy developed by the Long-Term Conditions Alliance Scotland.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in developing a national delivery plan for long-term conditions, as stated on page 58 of Better Health, Better Care: Action Plan and which (a) organisations and (b) individuals have been consulted.

Nicola Sturgeon: The delivery plan is intended to draw together work on the wide range of policies across the Scottish Government which impact on long-term conditions. It is being developed in partnership with NHS and voluntary sector agencies in an inclusive manner.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive to which financial year the voluntary severance payments that Highlands and Islands Enterprise recently made to its staff are being allocated.

Jim Mather: The voluntary severance payments were met from Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s budget provision for the financial year 2007-08.

Highlands and Islands Enterprise

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it provided any additional support to Highlands and Islands Enterprise to fund the voluntary severance arrangements recently offered to its staff.

Jim Mather: No. The cost of the voluntary severance arrangements was met entirely from Highlands and Islands Enterprise’s agreed 2007-08 budgetary provision.

Homecoming Scotland

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much has been allocated to each of the individual funding streams to support events for the Homecoming 2009 programme.

Jim Mather: The Homecoming Scotland 2009 programme has three funding streams.

  The Signature Events Programme has a £1.5 million budget to develop a small number of high profile flagship events spaced throughout the year.

  The Themed Events Programme has a budget of just over £1 million to support a broad range of events across the country.

  The rolling programme has a £500,000 budget which will be used to support relevant, largely exhibition-based, activity right through the year.

  In addition to these funding streams, Partner Events are those that fit with the general Homecoming themes but are not directly funded by the Homecoming budget. They will however receive in-kind promotional support from the project team.

Housing

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many empty homes there are in Scotland and what action it is taking to reduce this number and encourage such homes to be brought back into use.

Stewart Maxwell: It is not currently possible to separately identify empty houses. However, according to 2006 council tax data, 101,445 properties in Scotland were classed as vacant dwellings or second homes. This figure includes all vacant dwellings in the social rented and private housing sectors, including properties classed as second homes, those holiday homes that are available to let for less than 140 days per year and a small number of dwellings occupied entirely by adults who are "disregarded" for the purpose of paying council tax, such as adults who are severely mentally impaired.

  The General Register Office for Scotland is currently refining the breakdown of this data so that the 2007 figures will separately identify holiday lets and second homes. This data will be published on the Scottish neighbourhood statistics website at http://www.sns.gov.uk in May 2008.

  There can be a variety of reasons why a property may be empty, including whether the property is used as a second home, whether the property is derelict, awaiting demolition, awaiting conversion or improvement or whether the property is for sale or rent.

  In Firm Foundations, the Scottish Government announced that, as part of a wider review of the private rented sector in Scotland, we would explore opportunities to promote greater use of schemes which offer incentives to bring empty properties in disrepair back into use. The Scottish Government is currently taking forward research to explore existing good practice and make recommendations on cost-effective initiatives which could be used to bring empty properties back into use.

  In addition, the rural empty properties grant (REPG) scheme makes grants available to landlords to contribute to the costs of renovating rural properties on condition that the property is rented out at affordable rents to people from the local area. The Scottish Government also plans to examine the effectiveness of the REPG scheme and look at whether there may be scope in future to streamline grant appraisal procedures.

  In the social sector, local authorities and housing associations have the responsibility for minimising the proportion of their stock that is vacant at any one time. In the case of local authorities, there is a framework of statutory performance indicators covering voids and time taken to re-let houses when they become empty. Housing associations are also obliged to report on the level of voids in their stock on an annual basis and this performance is monitored by the Scottish housing regulator.

International Development

Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to issue a revised international development policy.

Linda Fabiani: Yes. Scottish ministers are committed to advancing Scotland’s place in the world by building mutually beneficial links with other countries as outlined in the Scottish Government’s International Framework published on 22 April. As part of that Framework, Scotland has a distinctive contribution to make in its work with developing countries recognising our global responsibility to work together to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). I will therefore publish a new international development policy shortly.

Justice

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-10249 by Fergus Ewing on 29 February 2008, whether it will provide a breakdown by parliamentary constituency of knife crime in the Lothians in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Fergus Ewing: The recorded crime data is based on an aggregate return at local authority level. As such, it is not possible to supply information about individual crimes, such as the type of weapon used in an assault, nor can we extract data by parliamentary constituency. However, individual police forces may collect data about weapons used and may also collect data at a more local geographic level.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what proportion of potential jurors called for jury duty did not attend for selection in each of the last three years.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally.

Justice

Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been fined for non-attendance when called for jury duty in each of the last three years.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally, however Scottish Court Service is aware of two potential jurors being fined for non-attendance at Stonehaven Sheriff Court in November 2006.

Justice

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-11621 by Kenny MacAskill on 15 March 2008, whether it will provide an estimate of the cost of the Shirley McKie inquiry and from which budget it will be financed as this information was not included in the answer to question S3W-10920 referred to in the answer to question S3W-11621.

Kenny MacAskill: As stated in the answer to question S3W-10920 on 14 March 2008, planning and preparatory work for the inquiry is taking place under the guidance of Lord Justice Campbell. That work includes dialogue with the Scottish Government, in the context of which we will aim to take all reasonable steps to control costs in the inquiry , and Lord Justice Campbell will have due regard to the statutory requirement to avoid incurring unnecessary costs. It would be premature to provide an estimate before that dialogue has progressed further. In due course, however, as stated in the answer to question S3W-11621 on 15 April 2008, we will make appropriate statements about budgetary matters.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what guidance it is issuing to the courts on the use of structured deferred sentences.

Kenny MacAskill: No specific guidance is being issued. However, the court must obtain a Social Enquiry Report before considering use of structured deferred sentences as a sentencing option.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any guidance it provides on the use of structured deferred sentences is available to MSPs.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government has not provided guidance on the use of structured deferred sentences. Courts are responsible for deciding on the most appropriate sentence in the light of the information provided in the Social Enquiry Report and having regard to the full circumstances of the case.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether offenders subject to structured deferred sentences who fail to keep appointments or to follow any direction within the sentencing scheme will be referred back to court.

Kenny MacAskill: When imposing a structured deferred sentence the court has the option of imposing a condition that if the offender fails to comply they are to be returned to court. Where such a condition has not been imposed and the offender fails to comply with the requirements of a structured deferred sentence, the social work department cannot refer the case back to court before the end of the deferment period.

Justice

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what categories of offenders can be subject to structured deferred sentences.

Kenny MacAskill: Structured Deferred Sentences are primarily aimed at offenders with underlying problems such as drug or alcohol dependency, mental health or learning difficulties or who are unemployed.

Local Government Finance

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what Aberdeen City Council’s budget estimate was for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99, (e) 1999-2000, (f) 2000-01 and (g) 2001-02.

John Swinney: The information requested is provided in the following table. It should be noted that Aberdeen City Council was formed following local government reorganisation in 1996-97 so figures for 1995-96 do not exist.

  Aberdeen City Council

  

 (£000)
 1996-97
 1997-98
 1998-99
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Budget Estimate 
£253,698
£249,306
£250,121
£259,975
£271,279
£289,378



  Note: *This information was taken from the annual provisional outturn/budget estimate forms as returned to the Scottish Government by Aberdeen City Council.

Local Government Finance

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what Aberdeen City Council’s provisional outturn expenditure was for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99, (e) 1999-2000, (f) 2000-01 and (g) 2001-02.

John Swinney: The information requested is provided in the following table. It should be noted that Aberdeen City Council was formed following local government reorganisation in 1996-97 so figures for 1995-96 do not exist.

  Aberdeen City Council

  

 (£000)
 1996-97
 1997-98
 1998-99
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Provisional Outturn 
£258,071
£246,572
£250,369
£260,255
£274,996
£287,066



  Note: *This information was taken from the annual provisional outturn/budget estimate forms as returned to the Scottish Government by Aberdeen City Council.

Local Government Finance

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what Aberdeen City Council’s final outturn expenditure was for (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99, (e) 1999-2000, (f) 2000-01 and (g) 2001-02.

John Swinney: The information requested is provided in the following table. It should be noted that Aberdeen City Council was formed following local government reorganisation in 1996-97 so figures for 1995-96 do not exist.

  Aberdeen City Council

  

 (£000)
 1996-97
 1997-98
 1998-99
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Final Outturn 
£244,388
£249,893
£251,483
£260,889
£274,664
£279,933



  Note: *The Final Outturn information for the years was taken from the annual Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy rating reviews.

Local Government Finance

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the differences between Aberdeen City Council’s budget estimate and its final outturn expenditure were in (a) 1995-96, (b) 1996-97, (c) 1997-98, (d) 1998-99, (e) 1999-2000, (f) 2000-01 and (g) 2001-02.

John Swinney: The information requested is provided in the following table. It should be noted that Aberdeen City Council was formed following local government reorganisation in 1996-97 so figures for 1995-96 do not exist.

  Aberdeen City Council

  

 (£000)
 1996-97
 1997-98
 1998-99
 1999-2000
 2000-01
 2001-02


 Budget Estimate 
£253,698
£249,306
£250,121
£259,975
£271,279
£289,378


 Final Outturn
£244,388
£249,893
£251,483
£260,889
£274,664
£279,933


 Difference
 -£9,310
 +£587
 +£1,362
 +£914
 +£3,385
 -£9,445



  Note: *The Budget Estimate information was taken from the annual provisional outturn/budget estimate forms as returned to the Scottish Government by Aberdeen City Council and the final outturn was taken from the from the annual Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy rating reviews.

Maternity Services

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde since January 2008 regarding its consultation on reviewing maternity services affecting Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire.

Nicola Sturgeon: Officials have regular discussions with boards on the arrangements for and timing of consultation exercises. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and officials have had regular discussions leading up to the launch on 27 March of the board’s consultation on proposed changes to maternity services in the Clyde area.

Ministerial Meetings

Andy Kerr (East Kilbride) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what meetings Scottish ministers have had with UK Treasury Ministers or officials since May 2007; who was present on each occasion, and what was discussed.

John Swinney: The detailed information requested is currently being collated and I will write to the member and place a copy of the letter in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45448) as soon as the information is available.

Ministerial Visits

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what ministerial visits have been undertaken by Scottish ministers in the Glasgow Kelvin constituency since 17 May 2007, broken down by portfolio, venue and date, and which other MSPs were in attendance or accompanying Ministers at each such event.

John Swinney: The information requested is listed below:

  

 Minister
 Location
 Date
 Other MSPs or Ministers in attendance


 Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning
 Scottish Education Awards, City Halls, Glasgow
 15-06-2007
 


 
 SQA Media Event Glasgow office - on line exam results, SQA Optima Building, Robertson Street
 06-08-2007
 


 
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 First Minister, Maureen Watt, Elish Angiolini, Frank Mulholland


 
 Judging Great Scot Awards, Central Quay
 17-08-2007
 


 
 Scottish Funding Council - Strategic Dialogue Event for Colleges, Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 07-09-2007
 


 
 Launch of Scottish Skills Strategy, National Piping Centre
 10-09-2007
 


 
 Great Scot Awards, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 15-09-2007
 First Minister


 
 Scottish Learning Festival, SECC, Glasgow
 19-09-2007
 Maureen Watt


 
 Breakfast Meeting with Microsoft, Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 21-09-2007
 


 
 Opening Tapestry Partnership Conference, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 25-09-2007
 


 
 John Mulgrew and Bernard Mc Leary - Learning Teaching Scotland, The Optima, Glasgow
 25-09-2007
 


 
 The Royal Scottish Academy of Music, Renfrew Street, Glasgow
 25-09-2007
 


 
 QAA Scotland European Higher Education Area, Strathclyde University
 27-09-2007
 


 
 Dr Catherine McCall - Philosophical Inquiry in Schools, Strathclyde University
 27-09-2007
 


 
 Open The Central College of Commerce, Glasgow
 28-09-2007
 


 
 Scottish Funding Council's Skills Committee, Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 01-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Caledonian University
 02-10-2007
 


 
 National Workforce Plus Partnership board Meeting, Corona House, Cadogan Street, Glasgow
 03-10-2007
 


 
 Come all Ye - A Scottish Festival of Learning, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 06-11-2007
 


 
 Scottish Refugee Council, Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow
 09-11-2007
 


 
BAFTA Scotland Awards (guest of Skill Set), City Halls, Glasgow, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow - Dinner
 18-11-2007
 


 
 Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy in Scotland - Tartan Clef Awards (Black Tie), Old Fruitmarket Glasgow
 24-11-2007
 


 
 Young Survivors Step to the Future, Big Step Offices, Candleriggs, Merchant City
 26-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow University Dinner Party, Principals Lodging
 26-11-2007
 


 
 City Learning Strategy Network, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 11-12-2007
 


 
 Stow College Glasgow, 
 14-01-2008
 


 
 Lord Provost's Burns Supper, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 25-01-2008
 


 Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth 
 SECC, Glasgow
 25-06-2007
 


 
 National Business Awards Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 13-09-2007
 Stewart Stevenson


 
 SECC, Glasgow
 31-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow University 
 13-11-2007
 First Minister


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 30-11-2007
 


 Cabinet Secretary for Justice 
 Glasgow Community Justice Authority, Glasgow City Chambers
 27-08-2007
 


 
 George Square, Glasgow 
 17-09-2007
 


 
 Buchanan Bus Station Glasgow 
 12-12-2007
 


 
 Violence Reduction Unit, Glasgow Dental Hospital
 17-12-2007
 


 
 Strathclyde Police HQ
 14-01-2008
 


 
 Scottish Youth Theatre, Brunswick St
 07-02-2008
 


 
 Clydeside Action on Asbestos, High St
 14-02-2008
 


 
 South East Renfrewshire Divisional HQ, Helen Street
 22-02-2008
 


 Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment 
 BBC Studios, Queen Margaret Drive
 24-05-2007
 


 
 SECC, Glasgow
 25-05-2007
 


 
 City Inn, Finnieston Quay 
 15-06-2007
 


 Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health & Wellbeing
 George Square, Glasgow, 
 05-06-2007
 


 
 SECC, Glasgow 
 12-06-2007
 Shona Robison attended the same conference, but on Wednesday 13 June.


 
 Walk from Kelvin Grove Skate Park to C level offices, Bath Street, Glasgow
 25-07-2007



 
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 First Minister, Fiona Hyslop, Maureen Watt, Elish Angiolini, Frank Mulholland


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 16-08-2007
 


 
 City Halls, Glasgow 
 06-09-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Caledonian University 
 09-09-2007
 


 
 SECC, Glasgow 
 02-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers 
 12-10-2007
 


 
 Hilton Hotel, Street, Glasgow 
 23-10-2007
 


 
 Strathclyde University
 30-10-2007
 


 
 City Halls, Glasgow
 09-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 13-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 
 15-11-2007
 


 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow 
 16-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 
 23-11-2007
 


 
 Crown Plaza, Congress Road, Glasgow, 
 29-11-2007
 


 
 George Square, Glasgow 
 30-11-2007
 


 
 George Square, Glasgow 
 16-12-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Council, George Square, Glasgow 
 18-12-2007
 


 
 SECC, Glasgow 
 14-01-2008
 


 
 Woodside Place, Glasgow 
 04-02-2008
 


 First Minister
 Glasgow City Chambers
 11-06-2007
 


 
 Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow 
 12-06-2007
 


 
 Cerium Building 
 10-07-2007
 


 
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 Fiona Hyslop, Maureen Watt, Elish Angiolini, Frank Mulholland


 
 SECC, Glasgow
 14-08-2007
 


 
 CBI Annual Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 06-09-2007
 John Swinney


 
 Marriott Hotel, Glasgow,
 07-09-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 08-09-2007
 


 
 Great Scot Awards, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 15-09-2007
 Fiona Hyslop


 
 Glasgow Kelvin Gallery, Glasgow University
 04-10-2007
 


 
 Aurora Building, Glasgow 
 13-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow University 
 13-11-2007
 John Swinney


 
 Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 29-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Caledonian University 
 30-11-2007
 


 
 Sunday Mail Sports Awards, Hilton Hotel
 06-12-2007
 Stewart Maxwell


 
 25 Tyndrum Street 
 18-12-2007
 


 
 Glasgow University 
 02-02-2008
 


 Lord Advocate
 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 19-05-2007
 


 
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 First Minister, Fiona Hyslop, Nicola Sturgeon, Maureen Watt, Frank Mullholland


 
 Renfield St Stephen’s Church, Bath Street, Glasgow
 27-09-2007
 


 
 The Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 22-10-2007
 


 
 Barony Hall, Castle Street, Glasgow
 01-12-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Cathedral
 06-12-2007
 


 
 Strathclyde Police HQ
 10-12-2007
 Minister for Communities and Sport


 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow
 25-01-2008
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 31-01-2008
 


 
 John Anderson Building, Rottenrow East, Glasgow
 06-02-2008
 


 Minister for Children and Early Years
 Bell’s Bridge, Glasgow 
 20-08-2007
 


 
 Glasgow University 
 25-09-2007
 


 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street 
 01-10-2007
 


 
 Notre Dame Centre, Athole Gardens 
 06-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 15-11-2007
 


 
 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow 
 07-12-2007
 


 
 Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 14-12-2007
 


 
 Meeting with CG key players, Glasgow City Chambers
 01-06-2007
 


 Minister for Communities and Sport
 Norwich Union Grand Prix Athletics, Scotstoun Stadium
 03-06-2007
 


 
 SFHA Gala Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 07-06-2007
 


 
 World Badminton Champs, Scotstoun Stadium
 12-06-2007
 


 
 DLA Piper Degree Show, Glasgow School of Art, 
 14-06-2007
 


 
 Launch of Refugee Week, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 18-06-2007
 


 
 Welcoming New Scots Conf, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 19-06-2007
 


 
 CG Reception, Glasgow City Chambers
 21-07-2007
 


 
 Sports Announcement, Scotstoun Stadium
 02-08-2007
 


 
 LHO Chairs Forum, Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 08-08-2007
 


 
 International Day of Slave Trade, Mitchell Library
 23-08-2007
 


 
 CG Reception, Glasgow City Chambers
 01-09-2007
 


 
 Positive Action in Housing, Glasgow City Chambers
 07-09-2007
 


 
 Private and Rented Housing Panel Launch, West Campbell St, Glasgow
 07-09-2007
 


 
 CG Reception, Hunterian Museum
 15-09-2007
 


 
 Shelter Conference, Teacher Building
 01-10-2007
 


 
 CG Reception, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 06-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Homelessness Network Conf, Glasgow City Chambers
 09-10-2007
 


 
 Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline Launch, City Halls, Glasgow
 11-10-2007
 


 
 STUC Event, Glasgow Menzies Hotel
 30-10-2007
 


 
 Sunday Mail Offices, Glasgow
 02-11-2007
 


 
 One Parent Families Annual Conf, Renfield St. Stephen’s Centre, Bath Street, Glasgow
 23-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow Sportsperson of the Year Awards, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 23-11-2007
 


 
 Sunday Mail Sports Awards, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 06-12-2007
 First Minister


 
 Strathclyde Police HQ
 10-12-2007
 Lord Advocate 


 
 Meeting with Cllr Ryan, Glasgow City Council
 10-12-2007
 


 
 Bridging the Policy Gap Event, Glasgow City Halls, Glasgow
 08-02-2008
 


 
 Housing Supply Task Force, Glasgow Menzies Hotel
 08-02-2008
 


 
 CG Dinner – in presence of HRH The Princess Royal, Glasgow University
 18-02-2008
 


 Minister for Community Safety 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 18-06-2007
 Bashir Ahmad MSP


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 25-06-2007
 


 
 Police HQ, Pitt St, 
 10-07-2007
 


 
 Bell St 
 10-07-2007
 


 
 Tall Ship
 25-09-2007
 


 
 Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 08-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 19-11-2007
 


 
 Parish Hall, George St, 
 26-11-2007
 


 
 Strathclyde University
 28-11-2007
 


 Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism
 British Wind Energy Conference, SECC, Glasgow
 09-10-2007
 


 
 Launch of Government’s Economic Strategy, Glasgow University 
 13-11-2007
 


 
 Launch of Investment Fund, Glasgow Caledonian University
 05-02-2008
 


 
 Enterprising Scotland Conference, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 25-02-2008
 


 Minister for Environment 
 NIL
 
 


 Minister for Europe, External Affairs & Culture
 Ardsgoil Glasgow Gaelic School 
 25-06-2007
 


 
 Huntarian Museum 
 25-06-2007
 


 
 SCIAFF Offices, 19 Park Circus
 09-07-2007
 


 
 Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow
 23-09-2007
 


 
 City Halls, Glasgow
 05-10-2007
 


 
 Strathclyde University
 06-10-2007
 


 
 Oran Mor, Great Western Road
 22-10-2007
 Bruce Crawford, Roseanna Cunningham, Sandra White


 
 Campanile Hotel, Tunnel Street
 01-11-2007
 


 
 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 02-11-2007
 


 
 The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane
 02-11-2007
 


 
 The Trades Hall, Glassford Street
 12-11-2007
 


 
 Glasgow School of Art, Renfrew Street
 12-11-2007
 


 
 The Lighthouse, Mitchell Lane
 12-11-2007
 


 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street
 24-11-2007
 


 
 Hilton Hotel, Glasgow
 27-11-2007
 


 
 Scottish Screen, West George Street, Glasgow
 15-01-2008
 


 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 16-01-2008
 


 
 City Halls, Glasgow
 19-01-2008
 


 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 24-01-2008
 


 
 The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour
 24-01-2008
 


 
 Gallery of Modern Art, Royal Exchange Square
 25-01-2008
 


 
 City Halls, Glasgow
 27-01-2008
 


 
 Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 01-02-2008
 


 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 01-02-2008
 


 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 03-02-2008
 


 
 Sunday Mail offices, Central Quay
 19-02-2008
 


 
 Oran Mor, Great Western Road
 29-02-2008
 


 
 Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
 01-03-2008
 


 Minister for Parliamentary Business 
 Oran Mor, Great Western Road
 22-10-2007
 Sandra White, Roseanna Cunningham, Linda Fabiani


 Minister for Public Health
 SECC, Glasgow
 13-06-2007
 Nicola Sturgeon attended the same conference, but on Tuesday 12 June.


 
 Health Protection Scotland, Clifton Place, Glasgow
 23-08-2007
 


 
 Millennium Hotel, George Square, Glasgow
 10-09-2007
 


 
 Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, St Vincent Street, Glasgow
 10-10-2007
 


 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow
 24-10-2007
 


 
 Glasgow City Chambers
 29-11-2007
 


 
 Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 02-12-2007
 


 
 Hilton Glasgow Hotel, Glasgow
 04-12-2007
 


 
 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Congress Road, Glasgow
 11-12-2007
 


 Minister for Schools and Skills
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 First Minister, Fiona Hyslop, Nicola Sturgeon, Elish Angiolini, Frank Mulholland


 
 Scottish Learning Festival, SECC, Glasgow
 19-09-2007
 Fiona Hyslop 


 Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change 
 Gala Dinner, British Computer Society, Trades Hall, Glasgow
 22-06-2007
 


 
 First Bus depot, Scotstoun Depot, 1073 South Street, Glasgow 
 20-08-2007
 


 
 CBI Annual Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 06-09-2007
 First Minister


 
 National Business Awards Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 13-09-2007
 John Swinney


 
 Media Interviews in advance of opening Water Treatment Works in Milngavie, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Congress Road, Glasgow 
 03-10-2007
 


 
 Institution of Highways and Transportation Dinner, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 04-10-2007
 


 
 Scottish Transport Awards, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow 
 29-10-2007
 


 
 Closing address for Institute of Engineering and Technology Scotland, Teacher Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow 
 07-11-2007
 


 
 Transport News Scottish Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Congress Road, Glasgow 
 09-11-2007
 


 
 Cycling Scotland Annual Conference, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow 
 13-11-2007
 


 
 Faculty of Building (Scottish Branch) dinner, Trades Hall, Glasgow 
 14-11-2007
 


 
 SURF Awards, Radisson Hotel, Glasgow
 06-12-2007
 


 
RoSPA Road Safety CongressCrowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow
 25-02-2008
 


 Solicitor General 
 Thistle Hotel, Cambridge Street, Glasgow 
 31-05-2007
 


 
 Scotland Together - FM reception, Kelvin Grove Art Gallery, Glasgow
 07-08-2007
 First Minister, Fiona Hyslop, Nicola Sturgeon, Maureen Watt, Elish Angiolini



  Note: Ministerial diaries normally record the date, time and location of official meetings. However, diary management processes can differ in each of the Ministerial private offices and the names of individual attendees at a meeting are not always recorded. This will vary according to the particular circumstances of the meeting and how much information a particular ministerial private office requires to record in order to conduct its business effectively and efficiently.

NHS Hospitals

Stuart McMillan (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions have taken place with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde since January 2008 regarding the introduction of parking charges at hospitals.

Nicola Sturgeon: Revised guidance on car park and arrangements for car park charging was issued on 18 January under the Scottish Government CEL 1 (2008). This revised guidance requires boards which have car parking schemes in place to review these schemes against the principles and criteria set out in the revised guidance and to provide a report to me by 30 June 2008. Once this further guidance has been considered, a full policy statement on the provision of car parking at NHSScotland facilities will be issued, together with proposals for updating the existing guidance.

Parliamentary Questions

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will provide a substantive answer to question S3W-9698 which received a holding answer on 7 March 2008.

John Swinney: S3W-9698 was answered on 24 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search .

Police

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many attacks there have been on police officers in each year since 1999, also broken down by police force and sub-division.

Kenny MacAskill: The police recorded crime statistics collected centrally are based on an aggregate return at local authority level, and do not distinguish the circumstances of the crime, such as the occupation of the victim.

  However, I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-4538 on 17 October 2007. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

  The source of the data in the table is Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary’s annual statistical returns from police forces. I have been advised that following the reply to S3W-4538, Tayside police force submitted a revised figure of "155" assaults recorded in 2005-06, rather than the original figure of "15". The Inspectorate have also confirmed that the figure of "0" for Grampian in 2005-06 should be labelled "unknown" and that data for 2006-07 should no longer be considered to be provisional.

Police

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the average response times were for emergency police call-outs in each year since 1997, also broken down by police force and sub-division.

Kenny MacAskill: This information is not held centrally.

Prison Service

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what contracts for the provision of new prison places have been approved since 3 May 2007.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  There have been no new contracts for the provision of prison places since 3 May 2007, however, the contract with Addiewell Prison Services Ltd signed in June 2006 will provide 700 new prison places and in August 2007 the Scottish Government announced that two new prisons will be built to meet the demand for prison places. These will be privately designed and constructed but publicly operated and will provide over 1,000 prisoner places.

Prison Service

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service was available for media comment on publication of the report into the circumstances surrounding the case of Robert Foye and what its position is in respect of this matter, given public concern at the gravity of the issues reviewed.

Kenny MacAskill: I have asked Mike Ewart, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service to respond. His response is as follows:

  I was on a planned week’s leave and out of the country in the week in which the report was published.

Procurement

Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has a target for the percentage of public sector contracts that are awarded to small and medium-sized enterprises and, if so, what that target is.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government believes such a target would be appropriate and is currently exploring how it can be defined and applied.

Regeneration

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support development on brownfield sites by providing subsidy to reflect higher site remedial costs.

Stewart Maxwell: The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his budget on 12 April this year plans to introduce tax relief for the remediation of brownfield land. Draft legislation will be published for consultation this summer, and the relief will take effect from April 2009.

  The Scottish Government has been fully engaged in the development of these proposals and we recognise the incentives this will offer for development of brownfield land in Scotland. We have no plans to introduce additional subsidies for brownfield development in Scotland at present.

Renewable Energy

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many planning applications for renewable energy generation have been received since May 2007 and what the outcome was in each case.

Jim Mather: Electricity generating developments (greater than 50Mw generally and 1Mw for water driven generating stations) are consented by Scottish ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989. In considering an application made under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989, Scottish ministers would consult with statutory stakeholders including the local Planning Authority, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scottish Environment Protection Agency as well as non-statutory bodies and the public. Since May 2007, the following applications have been received by Scottish ministers under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989:

  

 Application
 Technology
 Date Received
 Current Status


 Pairc
 Wind farm
 01-06-07
 Awaiting additional information from the developer


 Crystal Rigg Wind farm Phase IIa
 Wind farm
 13-06-07
 Awaiting additional information from the developer


 Strathy South
 Wind farm
 29-06-07
 At consultation awaiting advice from planning authority


 EMEC – Orcadian Wave Project
 Wave
 29-06-07
 Consented


 Invervar
 Hydro
 25-07-07
 At further consultation following additional information from developer


 Loch Eilde Mor Hydro
 Hydro
 19-12-07
 At consultation


 Rothes Wind Extension
 Wind farm
 27-12-07
 At consultation awaiting advice from planning authority


 Blacklaw Extension
 Wind farm
 25-01-08
 At consultation

Sport

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it was first informed that Falkirk Council would not support the development of an indoor football centre at Westfield.

Stewart Maxwell: The possibility of not progressing the development of an indoor football centre at Westfield was first raised at a meeting between officials of Falkirk Council and sportscotland held on 20 December 2007.

  The Scottish Government understands the council formalised this decision at its meeting on 8 April 2008.

Sport

Michael Matheson (Falkirk West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how the £3 million from the National and Regional Sports Strategy for the indoor football centre at Westfield Stadium will be reallocated.

Stewart Maxwell: The Scottish Government and sportscotland will consider how any National and Regional Sports Facility Strategy (NRSFS) funds would be reallocated. However, this will only be undertaken when a current project has made a formal notification of withdrawal.

Teachers

Rhona Brankin (Midlothian) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that its commitment to deliver access to a fully qualified nursery teacher for every nursery age child is being delivered by Stirling Council’s model of providing access to a nursery teacher for one-third of the school year.

Adam Ingram: We expect that local authorities will adopt different models of teacher deployment on the basis of local circumstances. The Scottish Government does, however, expect to see an overall increase in teacher involvement in pre-school.

Teachers

Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many mature entrants there were to the teaching profession in each of the last three years, broken down by (a) age and (b) gender.

Maureen Watt: There is no standard definition of a mature entrant to the teaching profession. The following table shows the age and gender of teachers on the probationer induction scheme over the past three years.

  

 
 2005
 
 2006
 
 2007
 


 Age
 Female
 Male
 Female
 Male
 Female
 Male


 Up to 25
 1,110
 270
 1,409
 329
 1,785
 412


 26
 99
 29
 171
 60
 145
 42


 27
 76
 29
 114
 27
 89
 38


 28
 64
 21
 90
 23
 85
 37


 29
 48
 25
 85
 42
 62
 32


 30
 43
 12
 46
 22
 59
 23


 over 30
 438
 183
 539
 266
 651
 257

Water Services

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it plans to announce the outcome of its consideration of the responses to the consultation into the future of the small organisation water services charges exemption scheme, which was included in its consultation on the principles of charging for water services.

Stewart Stevenson: An announcement will be made shortly.